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Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
[Pseudomonas aeruginosa epidemiology in intensive care units: importance of cross-transmission]
X Bertrand1, G Blasco, E Belle
1Service d'hygiène hospitalière et d'épidémiologie moléculaire, centre hospitalier universitaire Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France.
Objectives:
To update the local epidemiological data of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in intensive care units (ICU) by assessing the colonisation incidence rate and the level of cross-transmission.
Methods:
Study carried out in both adult ICUs of the university-hospital of Besançon during a 2 years period. Clinical and surveillance specimens were screened for P. aeruginosa. Pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis was used as genotyping method to evaluate the rate of cross-transmission.
Results:
During the study, 314 patients were positive for P. aeruginosa (incidence rate of 19.1 patients per 100 admitted patients). One hundred sixty-six of these patients were detected with a clinical specimen and 148 with a screening specimen. Seventy-seven patients were colonised upon admission in the intensive care unit and 237, negative on admission, became positive during their stay. Of the ICU-acquired cases, the mean length of stay before P. aeruginosa colonisation was acquired was 15.7 days. Genotyping revealed that 53.5% of P. aeruginosa colonisation was acquired via cross-transmission (respectively 48.1% in the medical ICU and 59.2% in the surgical ICU); the other cases probably originated from endogenous sources.
Conclusion:
The incidences of P. aeruginosa colonisation upon admission and during hospitalisation are consistent with other french and european studies. Although we probably over-estimated the rate of cross-transmission, our results demonstrate that cross-transmission may be a major cause of P. aeruginosa dissemination in ICUs.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation affects 19.1% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Cross-transmission accounts for over half of ICU-acquired P. aeruginosa cases, highlighting its significant role in ICU dissemination.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant nosocomial pathogen, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Understanding the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of P. aeruginosa in ICUs is crucial for infection control.
- Local data on colonization incidence and cross-transmission rates are essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in adult ICUs.
- To assess the rate of P. aeruginosa cross-transmission within the ICUs.
- To update local epidemiological data for P. aeruginosa in this critical care setting.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year prospective study was conducted in two adult ICUs.
- Clinical and surveillance specimens were screened for P. aeruginosa.
- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was employed for genotyping to evaluate cross-transmission rates.
Main Results:
- The incidence of P. aeruginosa colonization was 19.1 per 100 admitted patients.
- Of 314 positive patients, 166 were identified via clinical specimens and 148 via screening.
- Genotyping indicated that 53.5% of P. aeruginosa colonizations were acquired through cross-transmission, with variations between medical (48.1%) and surgical (59.2%) ICUs.
Conclusions:
- The incidence rates of P. aeruginosa colonization are comparable to other European studies.
- Cross-transmission is identified as a major contributor to P. aeruginosa dissemination within ICUs.
- While cross-transmission rates may be overestimated, the findings underscore its importance in ICU settings.
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